CN118103724A - Lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention comprises: a base body, which is a mounting portion for a vehicle; a light source unit; a translucent cover, which covers the front side of the base body in a manner that the light source unit is accommodated therein and is mounted on the base body to define a lamp body space; and an obstacle detection unit, which is arranged on the lamp body space side of the translucent cover and at a lateral position in the horizontal direction of the light source unit, and transmits electromagnetic waves to detect obstacles. The obstacle detection unit comprises a housing and an obstacle detection device accommodated in the housing, the housing being fixed to the translucent cover and being separated from the base body.

Description

Lighting device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a lamp device, in particular to a vehicle lamp device with a built-in obstacle detection device.

Background technique

In order to provide driving assistance and autonomous driving for cars, various sensors are used in addition to acceleration sensors and GPS sensors, including cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and millimeter wave sensors.

In particular, the obstacle detection device can directly detect the distance, direction, and relative speed of the object. Therefore, it has the following characteristics: even objects at close range can be detected at high speed and high precision. Among them, LiDAR irradiates a 1-watt pulsed laser to the obstacle, detects the reflected light, and detects the distance based on the time until the reflected light is detected. It has the following characteristics: the beam density is high compared to radio waves, and by using short-wavelength lasers, the position, shape, etc. can be detected with high precision. Most of these lasers use elements in the near-infrared wavelength range, which can achieve distance sensing and high optical resolution.

Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp equipped with a light source unit and a millimeter-wave radar, and having a resin cover that appears on the vehicle body, and an opaque exterior portion is provided on a portion of the resin cover to shield the millimeter-wave radar.

In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a vehicle-mounted lighting device provided with a partition plate which is arranged so as to partition the space between the lamp unit and the radar unit and shields the transmission of radiant heat and electromagnetic waves between the lamp unit and the radar unit.

Patent document 3 discloses a vehicle lamp, which has a lamp chamber formed between the lamp body and the front cover, a light source disposed inside the lamp chamber, a millimeter wave radar disposed outside the lamp chamber, and a shielding portion formed on the front cover to cover the millimeter wave radar from the front.

Prior art literature

Patent Literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5130192

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-51974

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent No. 5285405

Summary of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, when the high temperature environment outside the lamp body, such as the heat of the lamp inside the lamp body or the heat of the engine, affects the detection function of the obstacle detection device built into the lamp body. The main reason is that the junction temperature of the semiconductor device used in the obstacle detection device becomes too high, and its function is reduced.

In particular, LiDAR emits electromagnetic waves (laser) with greater power than millimeter-wave radar, which results in greater heat generation and a significant reduction in detection capabilities. In addition, obstacle detection devices that detect objects to the side of the vehicle are also susceptible to the radiant heat of the vehicle itself, such as engine heat.

Even when the lamp in the lamp body is not lit, the engine continues to function, so the radiant heat from the engine is constantly applied to the obstacle detection device. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to suppress the influence of the radiant heat from the engine.

In order to solve this problem, it is considered that the LiDAR device is installed outside the lamp as a separate structure to detect obstacles, thereby configuring it to be unaffected by the heat from the light source of the lamp body and the radiant heat such as engine heat. However, although the problem of reduced detection function caused by heat can be solved, the structure part that needs to accommodate the obstacle detection device outside the lamp body will cause the problem of large size.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lamp device that can effectively suppress the influence of radiant heat of the vehicle itself, such as engine heat, and can accommodate an obstacle detection device in a lamp body to achieve miniaturization.

Means for solving problems

A lamp device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes:

A base body, which is a mounting portion to a vehicle;

Light source unit;

a light-transmitting cover that covers the front side of the base so as to accommodate the light source unit therein and is mounted on the base to define a lamp body space; and

The obstacle detection unit is arranged on the side of the light body space of the light-transmitting cover and on the side of the light source unit in the horizontal direction, and transmits electromagnetic waves to detect obstacles.

The obstacle detection unit comprises a housing and an obstacle detection device accommodated in the housing.

The housing is fixed to the light-transmitting cover and is spaced apart from the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the internal structure of a lamp device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the internal structure of the lamp device 10 .

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing radiant heat RH from a heat source 90 of a vehicle on which the lamp device 10 is mounted.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a lamp device 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a structure of a lamp device 10 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a structure of a lamp device 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described, but they may be appropriately modified or combined for application. In addition, in the following description and drawings, substantially the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals for description.

In addition, the following description will take a car as an example of a vehicle, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, in this specification, a vehicle refers to a transportation tool (Vehicle) including, for example, a ship, an airplane, etc., and a manned or unmanned transportation tool.

[First embodiment]

Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the internal structure of a lamp device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The lamp device 10 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The lamp device 10 is, for example, a headlamp, but can also be applied to a lamp device having a purpose and function of emitting light to the outside, such as a taillight or a backlight.

More specifically, FIG. 1 schematically shows a cross section of a horizontal plane (or a plane parallel to the road surface) when the lamp device 10 (left headlight) mounted on the left front side of the vehicle is viewed from above.

In addition, in this specification, the term horizontal and vertical planes (or directions) refers to the horizontal and vertical planes (or directions) when the lamp device 10 is installed on the vehicle, and corresponds to the horizontal and vertical planes (or directions) of the vehicle.

The lamp device 10 includes a lamp section 11 and an obstacle detection unit 20 as an obstacle detection section. In the lamp device 10, a lamp housing (casing) 11C is formed by a base 12 and a light-transmitting cover (front cover) 13 attached to the front side or front side of the base 12.

More specifically, a lamp body space 11K as an internal space is defined by attaching the light-transmitting cover 13 to the base 12. In the present embodiment, the lamp body space 11K is configured as a closed space.

The light-transmitting cover 13 is attached to the base 12 so as to cover the front side of the base 12 , and the base 12 is attached to the vehicle body side, whereby the lamp device 10 is mounted on the vehicle body (not shown).

The base 12 is made of plastic (resin). For example, it is made of PP (polypropylene) in the headlight and ASA (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylic rubber) in the taillight, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, metal or the like may be partially used.

The light-transmitting cover 13 is formed of a light-transmitting resin such as polycarbonate (PC), etc. The light-transmitting cover 13 may have light-transmitting properties that allow light other than white, such as red and yellow, to pass therethrough.

A light source unit 14 is provided in a lamp body space 11K of the lamp housing 11C. The light source unit 14 includes a light source 15 such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and an optical system 14L such as a lens or a reflector for distributing and irradiating light from the light source 15 along the optical axis AX1. The light source 15 is provided in a light source housing 14K.

The light source unit 14 is provided to emit a low beam (oncoming beam) and a high beam (driving beam) LB in a forward direction (FR in the figure).

In addition, an extension portion or the like may be provided in the lamp housing 11C. The extension portion is an external component provided for reflecting or guiding light or for making the internal structure difficult to be seen from the outside.

The obstacle detection unit 20 is fixed to the light-transmitting cover 13. The obstacle detection unit 20 is provided to be located on the rear surface of the light-transmitting cover 13 and to the side of the light source unit 14 in the horizontal direction. In addition, the obstacle detection unit 20 is provided at a position separated from the base 12. More specifically, the obstacle detection unit 20 is provided at a position where the side wall and the bottom of the obstacle detection unit 20 do not contact the base 12, that is, at a position where the base 12 does not contact the vehicle body when the base 12 is mounted on the vehicle body.

The obstacle detection unit 20 includes a housing 21 and an obstacle detection device 23 housed in the housing 21. The obstacle detection device 23 transmits electromagnetic waves such as millimeter waves and lasers, and observes the electromagnetic waves reflected by an object to measure the distance to the object and the shape of the object.

The obstacle detection unit 20 is separated from the lamp body space 11K of the lamp housing 11C by the housing 21, and defines a space (obstacle detection unit space) 20K separated from the lamp body space 11K.

More specifically, the housing 21 of the obstacle detection unit 20 is fixed to the rear surface of the light-transmitting cover 13, that is, in the lamp body space 11K. Furthermore, the portion 21S of the light-transmitting cover 13 facing the obstacle detection unit 20 and the housing 21 define the obstacle detection unit space 20K. The housing 21 can be fixed to the light-transmitting cover 13 by a conventional method such as screw fastening, adhesive, or welding of resins.

In addition, in order to absorb the electromagnetic waves sent by the obstacle detection device 23, for example, if the electromagnetic waves are in the millimeter wave band, the shell 21 of the obstacle detection unit 20 can use a resin containing electromagnetic wave absorbing materials such as carbon, or use a component made by coating the surface or back of the shell 21 with electromagnetic wave absorbing materials or pasting electromagnetic wave absorbers.

In addition, when the electromagnetic wave is in the near-infrared region, infrared absorbing substances such as LaB6 (lanthanum hexaboride), CWO (cesium-doped tungsten oxide), ITO (tin-doped indium oxide), and ATO (antimony-doped tin oxide) can be contained in the resin in the same way as carbon, or can be coated on the surface or back for use.

Therefore, the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the obstacle detection device 23 can be absorbed, which are reflected by the light-transmitting cover 13 and then reflected multiple times in the lamp body space 11K or the obstacle detection unit space 20K to become noise components, thereby improving the detection accuracy.

The obstacle detection unit 20 has an obstacle detection device 23 as a distance detection sensor provided in the obstacle detection unit space 20K. The obstacle detection device 23 is, for example, a detection and distance measurement device using electromagnetic waves such as a LiDAR or a radar device.

In addition, the portion of the light-transmitting cover 13 of the lamp device 10 that faces the light source unit 14 transmits visible light, while the portion that faces the obstacle detection unit 20 transmits electromagnetic waves sent by the obstacle detection unit 23, and may be non-transparent or semi-transparent with respect to visible light. In this case, the obstacle detection unit 20 cannot be seen from the outside, so it is preferable in terms of appearance.

In such a structure, for example, the light-transmitting cover 13 can be made of a resin material that transmits visible light, and then the portion facing the obstacle detection unit 20 can be made by two-color molding using a non-light-transmitting material. Alternatively, a film of a non-light-transmitting material may be attached to the portion instead of two-color molding.

The obstacle detection device 23 has a transceiver 23T, and the central axis AX2 of the transceiver 23T for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves is configured to be inclined at an angle θ (θ>0) in the outward direction (i.e., the left direction in the case of the left headlight) relative to the optical axis AX1 of the light source unit 14 (or relative to the traveling direction FR of the vehicle). In addition, the central axis AX2 of the transceiver 23T can also be configured toward the traveling direction FR (θ=0).

The detection range of the obstacle detection device 23 may be extended by a predetermined angle from the central axis AX2 of the electromagnetic wave. The portion where the housing 21 is fixed to the light-transmitting cover 13 is preferably set outside the angle range. This can suppress a decrease in the detection accuracy of the obstacle detection device 23.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the internal structure of the lamp device 10. In addition, a cross section at a vertical plane including a central axis AX2 (direction indicated by A in Fig. 1) is shown, and the central axis AX2 is the central axis of the transceiver antenna for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves of the transceiver 23T or the central axis of the laser scanning.

1 and 2 , the obstacle detection device 23 is disposed laterally (ie, laterally in the horizontal direction) outside the light source unit 14 in the horizontal plane. FIG. 2 shows that the light source unit 14 (indicated by a dotted line) is disposed behind the obstacle detection device 23 .

Fig. 3 is a diagram similar to Fig. 1 , and shows radiant heat RH from a heat source 90 such as an engine of a vehicle equipped with the lamp device 10. According to the lamp device 10 of the present embodiment, the lamp device 10 includes a lamp body space 11K that receives radiant heat from the heat source 90 such as the engine.

The obstacle detection unit 20 is separated by the lamp body space 11K of the lamp unit 11, and can avoid the influence of the radiant heat RH from the heat source 90 of the vehicle itself, which is a high temperature environment. That is, the obstacle detection unit 20 is not in direct contact with the heat source 90 of the vehicle itself, thereby reducing the temperature rise of the obstacle detection unit 20.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a lamp device having a high-precision obstacle detection function with the influence of heat suppressed.

[Second Embodiment]

4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a lamp device 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, it is a diagram showing an enlarged structure of an obstacle detection unit 20 .

The portion 21S where the light-transmitting cover 13 faces the housing 21 of the obstacle detection unit 20 has a hole, that is, a communication portion 21C, which connects the outside with the obstacle detection unit space 20K. That is, the obstacle detection unit 20 is not sealed, and the obstacle detection unit space 20K as its internal space becomes a non-sealed space. In addition, it is preferred that a plurality of communication portions 21C are provided.

The obstacle detection device 23 is attached to the light-transmitting cover 13 (see FIG. 2 ) with a gap between the obstacle detection device 23 and the surface of the obstacle detection device case 21 .

According to this structure, the obstacle detection device 23 forms an air flow path 21A between the back side of the obstacle detection device 23 and the obstacle detection device housing 21 to dissipate heat and cool the sensor working in the obstacle detection device 23, thereby reducing the thermal influence from the lamp unit 11.

Therefore, the obstacle detection device 23 is separated by the lamp body space 11K of the lamp unit 11 and has excellent cooling effect, which can reduce the influence of the radiant heat RH from the heat source 90 of the vehicle as a high temperature environment and prevent the temperature of the obstacle detection unit 20 from rising.

[Third Embodiment]

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a structure of a lamp device 10 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the obstacle detection unit 20 has a sealed structure and has a space separated from the lamp body space 11K. Specifically, the housing 21 of the obstacle detection unit 20 is mounted on the light-transmitting cover 13 of the lamp unit 11 via the sealing portion 25, and the internal space of the obstacle detection unit 20 (obstacle detection unit space 20K) is configured as a sealed space. In addition, the obstacle detection unit space 20K is formed as an isolated space that blocks heat from the lamp body space 11K.

In addition, in the present embodiment, a sensor circuit of the obstacle detection device, i.e., a transceiver circuit substrate 23C, is provided inside the obstacle detection unit 20. More specifically, the transceiver circuit substrate 23C is a circuit substrate on which a transmission wave generator (generator), a transceiver circuit for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves such as millimeter waves and lasers, and an interface circuit are installed, such as a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC). Therefore, the transceiver circuit substrate 23C is configured as a circuit substrate with good heat dissipation. The obstacle detection device circuit substrate is provided to be exposed inside the obstacle detection unit space 20K of the obstacle detection unit 20.

The transceiver circuit board 23C is connected to, for example, a detector control module 27 disposed in a lamp body space 11K of the lamp unit 11. The detector control module 27 is provided in, for example, a lighting control module (LCM).

The detection device control module 27 functions as a signal processing and control circuit for signal processing of detection signals from the transceiver circuit substrate 23C and for controlling the transceiver circuit substrate 23C. That is, the transceiver circuit substrate 23C and the detection device control module 27 constitute the obstacle detection unit 20. The detection device control module 27 is configured as a processor (e.g., a CPU) and is the main heat generating body of the obstacle detection unit 20.

Therefore, the signal processing and control circuit of the detection signal of the transceiver circuit substrate 23C is provided outside the obstacle detection unit space 20K as the detection device control module (processor) 27. In this way, the transceiver circuit substrate 23C is configured as a circuit substrate with good heat dissipation, and the detection device control module 27 as the heat generating body is provided separately from the transceiver circuit substrate 23C, so that less heat is generated in the obstacle detection unit space 20K. In addition, the heat generated by the transceiver circuit substrate 23C is dissipated through the light-transmitting cover 13, which can suppress the temperature rise in the obstacle detection unit space 20K, thereby suppressing the characteristic degradation caused by the temperature rise of the sensor circuit.

The obstacle detection device transceiver circuit board 23C functioning as the obstacle detection device sensor 23 is separated by the lamp body space 11K of the lamp unit 11 and has excellent cooling effect, thereby reducing the influence of the radiant heat RH from the heat source 90 of the vehicle.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a lamp device having a high-precision obstacle detection device function in which a temperature rise of the obstacle detection device sensor substrate circuit is prevented and the influence of heat is suppressed.

[Fourth Embodiment]

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a structure of a lamp device 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the obstacle detection unit 20 is embedded in the through hole 13H provided on a part of the light-transmitting cover 13 and fixed. More specifically, the flange portion 21F formed on the peripheral portion of the housing 21 of the obstacle detection unit 20 is engaged with the peripheral portion of the through hole 13H of the light-transmitting cover 13, and the housing 21 is fixed to the light-transmitting cover 13. Moreover, the obstacle detection device 23 is fixed inside the housing 21. In addition, the front surface opening of the obstacle detection device housing 21 is covered by the non-light-transmitting cover 21D.

In addition, the non-translucent cover 21D is preferably a heat-insulating cover. As an example, resins such as polycarbonate, acrylic, and PBT can be used. In addition, by using a foamed resin, heat insulation can be performed and weight reduction can be achieved.

According to this configuration, the obstacle detection device 23 is partitioned by the lamp body space 11K of the lamp unit 11 , thereby reducing the influence of the radiant heat RH from the heat source 90 of the vehicle in a high temperature environment, thereby preventing the temperature of the obstacle detection unit 20 from rising.

In addition, the non-translucent cover 21D can be made of a material that allows the electromagnetic waves sent by the obstacle detection device 23 to pass more easily than the translucent cover 13, which can improve the obstacle detection accuracy. In addition, the appearance color of the non-translucent cover 21D can be freely changed to, for example, a color that matches the color of the vehicle body, which is preferred in terms of appearance. In addition, the non-translucent cover 21D and the translucent cover 13 are set to form a common curved surface, that is, there is no height difference between the surface of the non-translucent cover 21D and the surface of the translucent cover 13, thereby achieving an appearance in which the non-translucent cover 21D and the translucent cover 13 are integrated, which is preferred in terms of appearance.

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lamp device that can effectively suppress the influence of the radiant heat of the vehicle itself, such as engine heat, and has a high-precision obstacle detection device function.

Description of symbols

10: lamp device; 11: lamp part; 11C: lamp housing; 11K: lamp body space; 12: base; 13: light-transmitting cover; 13D: 14: light source unit; 14K: light source housing; 14L: optical system; 15: light source; 20: obstacle detection unit; 20K: obstacle detection unit space; 21: shell of obstacle detection unit; 21A: air flow path; 21C: connecting part; 23: obstacle detection device; 23C: transceiver circuit substrate; 25: sealing part; 26: heat insulating component; 27: detection device control module; 90: heat source.

Claims (8)

1. A lamp device comprising: A base body, which is a mounting portion to a vehicle; Light source unit; a light-transmitting cover that covers the front side of the base so as to accommodate the light source unit therein and is mounted on the base to define a lamp body space; and The obstacle detection unit is arranged on the side of the light body space of the light-transmitting cover and on the side of the light source unit in the horizontal direction, and transmits electromagnetic waves to detect obstacles. The obstacle detection unit comprises a housing and an obstacle detection device accommodated in the housing. The housing is fixed to the light-transmitting cover and is spaced apart from the base. 2 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing of the obstacle detection unit includes an electromagnetic wave absorbing material that absorbs electromagnetic waves transmitted by the obstacle detection device. 3. The lamp device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a portion of the light-transmitting cover facing the light source unit transmits visible light, and a portion facing the obstacle detection unit does not transmit visible light but transmits electromagnetic waves transmitted by the obstacle detection unit. 4. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the obstacle detection device comprises a transceiver, and a central axis of the transceiver for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves is inclined relative to an optical axis direction of the light source unit. 5 . The lamp device according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the light-transmitting cover facing the obstacle detection unit has a hole that connects the outside with the obstacle detection unit. 6 . The lamp device according to claim 1 , wherein a through hole is provided in the light-transmitting cover, and the obstacle detection unit is embedded in the through hole. 7. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the obstacle detection device is configured as a transceiver circuit substrate. The lamp device includes a processor connected to the transceiver circuit board and arranged in the lamp body space, and performs signal processing of a detection signal from the transceiver circuit board and controls the transceiver circuit board. 8. The light device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the obstacle detection device is any one of a LiDAR and a radar device.